The Springboks survived some moments of deep concern in the second half before wrapping up victory in their one-off Test against the Pacific Islands.

The bottom line is that it was a win, but the performance will prompt much debate as the Springboks head into the Tri-Nations.

While the Boks were rampant in the first half, which they finished with a 23-0 lead, they let their guard down to allow the unpredictable islanders back into the game after the break.

The Pacific Islands ran in four second-half tries against the Boks, which was not the expected outcome.

They effectively `won' the second stanza 24-15.

For much of the game it seemed that the Boks were on course to be a much better organised unit in this year's Tri-Nations.

They face the All Blacks next Saturday in Christchurch, when their hosts will be looking to follow up their victory over Australia.

In the process of this match, Bok fullback Percy Montgomery got the 18 points he needed to surpass Naas Botha's 365 in Test matches and become the all-time leading points scorer for the Springboks.

The Boks were in a mean mood in the opening exchanges, winning the first three Islanders lineouts and dominating in the scrums, and it was not long before they were up on the scoreboard through a Montgomery penalty.

Jacques Cronje opened the try account with an easy pick and drive from a five-metre scrum in the 22nd minute of the game.

Montgomery converted and added another two penalties to extend the Bok advantage to 16-0 before the telling pressure on the islanders delivered another try - the first of two for winger Breyton Paulse.

Montgomery's conversion took him closer to the record and a penalty in the 50th minute saw him break the record which had stood for almost a decade.

But then the islanders finally found their feet and started spreading the ball wide, playing to their strengths, and they were soon rewarded when winger Sitivini Sivivatu scored the first of his two tries with a 30-metre run after being slipped the ball in a tackle by Seru Rabeni.

The South Africans did strike back quickly with winger Jean de Villiers celebrating his return to Test rugby in style by beating two defenders to Montgomery's chip - scoring in the corner.

But there was much more to come from the underdogs.

Flanker Sione Lauaki battled his way over with a handful of defenders on his back in a television referee authorised try.

The best was left for last, however, with a brilliant interception by Tanner Villi who sent Sereli Bobo for a burst of speed down the touchline to score the final try on the stroke of full-time.